Ray Baker was suprised to be nominated for Greenham Trust’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2024. The award ceremony at Newbury’s Corn Exchange took place on Thursday 7 November – very smoothly hosted by the one and only Ken Bruce – Ray was awarded his certificate by local MP Lee Dillon.

As chair of the East Garston Social Club and Village Hall, Ray volunteers about 30 to 40 hours a month of his own time. He runs the bar at least three times per week, manages and orders all the supplies, arranges the bar rota, is instrumental in the running of the darts and pool teams and is the all-round go-to person for pretty much everything at the club, whether this means booking a plumber or sorting out any dispute.

The Club hosts a wide range of clubs, events and activities including The Garston Gallopers Morris-dancing troupe’s weekly meet, the Cribbage club and private parties, hosting the Watermill Theatre for the best part of a week every year, McMillan Coffee mornings and Parish Council meetings.

Other events that rely on Ray’s help include:

• The Valley Film Society;
• The Annual Fundraising Quiz Night;
• The Summer Dance;
• Fireworks night;
• The Billiards tea.

Without Ray’s commitment, East Garston Social Club would quite possibly have closed years ago. Thanks to him it remains a vibrant village amenity providing social cohesion and commercial support for the village hall which is well used.

Without Ray’s long-standing dedication and selflessness it would be a fair assumption to suggest that many events and groups would have folded a long time ago. Ray is extremely approachable and popular and his devotion and enthusiasm for the Club and Hall have assured the ongoing existence of both amenities, amenities which are invaluable to the local community.

Ray’s long-term commitment to keeping this vital village amenity going is totally outstanding. He does it out of sense of community value. He doesn’t expect any recognition and is probably taken for granted. This award has shown that he isn’t…